Did you know you probably have something in common with everyone’s favorite nerf herder? Han Solo had a favorite set of dice, like most gamers do. In fact, you can catch a glimpse of the golden dice hanging over Chewbacca’s head in Star Wars: A New Hope.
Rumor has it those are the very dice that Han Solo used in a game of sabacc against Lando Calrissian to win the Millennium Falcon.
You, too, can have your own set of lucky golden dice by upcycling an old pair of game dice with this simple DIY. While you might not win a space freighter with them like Han did, these dice make the perfect rearview mirror accessory or tree ornament for the holiday season.
What You Need
- Two six-sided dice
- Power drill with 1/2 flat wood drill bit
- Small screw eye (1 1/2 inches)
- Gorilla Glue or super glue
- Emery board or sandpaper
- Gold spray paint
- Fishing line or string
- Black acrylic paint (optional)
- Gold cable necklace chain, 18 inches
- Needle-nose pliers
Get Started!
Begin by securing one dice in a vise or pliers. (You may also want to find and wear safety goggles if the kids are making this craft.)
Use the power drill to make a small hole in the middle of one side of the dice. Use the black number dots as a guide to center the hole.
Repeat on the other dice.
Place a small drop of Gorilla Glue or super glue in the hole you drilled. Place the screw eye in the glue and adjust it until it’s straight. Repeat on the other dice.
Let the glue completely dry, preferably a few hours to overnight. If the glue bubbled while drying, use an emery board or small piece of sandpaper to smooth it out.
Next, tie fishing line or string to the two screw eyes. Spray paint the dice gold, and then hang them to dry. (You may need to spray the bottom of the dice while they’re hanging.)
If you’re making the dice aged as they appear in The Force Awakens, use a paper towel to gently rub black acrylic paint on the dice. Let dry. If you prefer a shinier look, you can skip this step.
Next, use the needle-nose pliers to divide the chain in half. Set aside the half with the clasp.
Take the other half of the chain and use the pliers to attach both ends to the screw eyes in the dice.
Your lucky dice are complete! The dice can hang easily over your rearview mirror, or sling them over a branch on your Christmas tree this year for a little bit of holiday luck.
Do you have a special set of dice? Tell us about it in the comments.
Image: Disney/Lucasfilm; All Photos by Kelly Knox